How to Drive Safely This Winter

As fall turns to winter, safe driving becomes more of a challenge. Amidst all the festivities, it is easy to forget about the precautions you should take to prepare your vehicle for the change in weather. However, following the guidance offered by The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration can help keep you and your loved ones safer throughout the holiday season.

PREPARE YOUR VEHICLE

Make sure that your car is ready for winter conditions before you get behind the wheel. Some important things to pay attention to are your vehicle’s battery, wipers, coolant, and tires because they all suffer in colder weather. Also, don’t forget to remove any snow, ice, or dirt from your windows that may diminish your ability to clearly see the road.

PREPARE YOURSELF

Don’t forget that the winter conditions often require you to drive slower than you otherwise might. Be sure to give yourself some additional time to get to where you need to go. Also, be sure to always leave more distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you so that you have enough time to stop. Lastly, remember that every car handles winter conditions differently so it is important to familiarize yourself with your car and how it drives in poor conditions.

PREPARE FOR AN EMERGENCY

Though we hope you never need to use these items, make sure to keep blankets, flashlights, jumper cables, and flares or emergency lights in your vehicle in case of an emergency. These items also are good to have on hand in case you stumble across someone else in need of some help on the road.

DRIVE SAFE AND TAKE NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS  

Last but not least, don’t forget seat belts, child seats, and other routine safety practices every time you get in your car. Never drink and drive and never drive while distracted.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, contact us at Regan Zambri Long PLLC today for a no-cost consultation.